Rescue on the Trinity River: CHP Release More Information on Saturday’s Crash

Monday, 12 February 2024, 3:43 pm Kym Kemp 12 comments

Woman huddled on the roof of her vehicle which was submerged in the Trinity River after a crash Saturday. [Photo provided by the CHP]

On February 10th, 2024, around 4:50 PM, a Nissan Rogue crashed off of Hwy 299 into the Trinity River east of Junction City after reportedly speeding. The driver, a woman who was alone in the vehicle, managed to escape through a window and climbed onto the car’s roof. The car eventually was carried several hundred feet downstream by the current.

A helicopter assisted with rescuing the driver. [Photo provided by CHP]

Emergency responders, including the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and other agencies, arrived quickly at the scene. The CHP Northern Division’s helicopter, H-14, was deployed and successfully lifted the woman, 39-year-old Elena Melee of Junction City, to safety. She was then taken to Mercy Medical Center Redding by Trinity County Life Support.

Authorities have stated that alcohol or drugs do not appear to have been factors in the accident. The CHP thanked all the agencies that helped with the rescue. They urging everyone not to speed. “We hope this crash will serve as a reminder of the dangers of driving at excessive speeds,” the press release stated. “Slow down and arrive alive.”

Earlier: Major Injury Accident on Hwy 299 East of Junction City

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12 Let us come and reason together. Isaiah 1:18

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Ben Round

9 months ago

So I guess they concluded this accident was caused by speed rather than inattentive (cell phone distracted) driving?
Speeding tickets are meant, in part to correct behaviors. Losing your car, surely totaled, and riding atop it down the river, should certainly be even more, a lesson.
Hope she is okay and has learned a few things.

Last edited 9 months ago

Tangled Massocells

Reply to Ben Round

If it was cell phone distraction… our Governor and State Assembly need to pass laws that will require all vehicles to stop rolling if the phone goes into use! The laws will go into effect years from now in order for technology to “catch up” and, of course long after they lawmakers are dead. It will be real popular especially with young people. You make a good point however! Seems like more accidents than ever. Cell Phones?

NoBody

Reply to Tangled Massocells

And how are they to differentiate between a passenger or a driver using their phone?

Reply to NoBody

There will be cameras mandated on board – so smile. Life jackets will also be required. All said, she was lucky to get on the roof. Swimming would be at minimum – cold.

Ullr Rover

If only the State will mandate we all ive in bubbles to keep us safe at all times.

Clearthinker

a little controlling and draconian don’t you think? accidents happen. Cant live in bubble wrap.

Wabbajck

There are so many places on that river where going off the roadway is automatically fatal, she is lucky she landed where she did. Could have fallen a couple hundred feet in elevation and landed in a deep pool, where even a car might not be found until flows go back down in the summer.